U.S. patent application number 10/408754 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-11 for configuring computer systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sun Microsystems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Garnett, Paul J..
Application Number | 20030229814 10/408754 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9934780 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030229814 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garnett, Paul J. |
December 11, 2003 |
Configuring computer systems
Abstract
A computer system 10 with one or more processors 12 can be
configured to operate in any one of a number of thermal
environments. A setting system 14 sets operating parameters of the
computer system such as processor operating voltage and frequency.
A selecting system 16 selects values of operating parameters for
use in setting by responding to an input of configuring data 20 to
select a set of parameter values from a parameter value storage
memory 18. The configuring data 20 may be input by the insertion of
a smart card 58. Such configuring is useful in adapting computer
systems during manufacture for compliance with desired
specifications without hardware modification.
Inventors: |
Garnett, Paul J.;
(Camberley, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEYERTONS, HOOD, KIVLIN, KOWERT & GOETZEL, P.C.
P.O. BOX 398
AUSTIN
TX
78767-0398
US
|
Assignee: |
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
9934780 |
Appl. No.: |
10/408754 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/322 ;
713/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 9/4411
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/322 ;
713/100 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 12, 2002 |
GB |
0208515.7 |
Claims
1. A computer system having at least one processor whose operating
characteristics are dependent upon values of variable operating
parameters of the computer system, the computer system being
configurable for use in any one of a set of predetermined thermal
environments and comprising: a parameter value storage memory
storing a plurality of sets of operating parameter values, each set
of operating parameter values corresponding to a respective one of
the set of thermal environments; a configuring system for storing
configuring data representative of a selection of thermal
environment within which the computer system is to be configured to
be operable; a selecting system operable to select from the
parameter value storage memory a selected set of operating
parameter values according to the configuring data; and a setting
system for setting one or more of the operating parameters of the
computer system, wherein the setting system is responsive to the
selecting system to set the operating parameters at the operating
parameter values of the selected set corresponding to the selection
of thermal environment represented by the configuring data.
2. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the configuring
system comprises a smart card interface operable to receive a smart
card storing the configuring data.
3. A computer system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the smart card
interface is operable to receive the smart card storing encrypted
data and wherein the configuring system further comprises a
decryption module operable to decrypt the encrypted data to obtain
the configuring data.
4. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the
operating parameters comprises an operating frequency, the computer
system comprising a clock generator for controlling the operating
frequency of the at least one processor and wherein the setting
system is operable to set the operating frequency to an operating
frequency value constituting one of the operating parameter values
of the selected set of operating parameter values.
5. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the
operating parameters comprises a voltage, the computer system
comprising a voltage converter for controlling a voltage supplied
to the at least one processor and wherein the setting system is
operable to set the voltage to a voltage value constituting one of
the operating parameter values of the selected set of operating
parameter values.
6. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the parameter
value storage memory comprises a non-volatile memory.
7. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
boot system operable to control operation of the at least one
processor during start-up of the computer system and operable to
set default values of operating parameters for operation of the
computer system during a start-up period.
8. A computer system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the selecting
system is responsive to an instruction from the boot system to
select the set of operating parameter values.
9. A computer system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the selecting
system comprises a main processor constituted by the processor or
one of the processors and wherein the main processor is operable to
command the setting system to set the operating parameters in
accordance with the selected operating parameter values in place of
the default values.
10. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality
of processors.
11. A method of operating a computer system having at least one
processor whose operating characteristics are dependent upon values
of variable operating parameters of the computer system, the
computer system being configurable for use in any one of a set of
predetermined thermal environments; the method comprising: storing
in a parameter value storage memory a plurality of sets of
operating parameter values, each set of operating parameter values
corresponding to a respective one of the set of thermal
environments; a configuring system of the computer system storing
configuring data representative of a selection of thermal
environment within which the computer system is to be configured to
be operable; a selecting system of the computer system selecting
from the parameter value storage memory a selected set of operating
parameter values according to the configuring data; and a setting
system of the computer system setting one or more of the operating
parameters of the computer system, wherein the setting system is
responsive to the selecting system to set the operating parameters
at the operating parameter values of the selected set corresponding
to the selection of thermal environment represented by the
configuring data.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the configuring system
comprises a smart card interface receiving a smart card storing the
configuring data.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the smart card stores
encrypted data and wherein the configuring system further comprises
a decryption module which decrypts the encrypted data to obtain the
configuring data.
14. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the computer system
comprises a clock generator controlling the operating frequency of
the at least one processor and wherein the setting system sets the
operating frequency to an operating frequency value constituting
one of the operating parameter values of the selected set of
operating parameter values.
15. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the computer system
comprises a voltage converter for controlling a voltage supplied to
at least one processor and wherein the setting system sets the
voltage to a voltage value constituting one of the operating
parameter values of the selected set of operating parameter
values.
16. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the sets of operating
parameter values are stored in a non-volatile memory.
17. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the computer system
further comprises a boot system controlling operation of the at
least one processor during start-up of the computer system and
setting default values of operating parameters for operation of the
computer system during a start-up period.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the boot system
instructs the selecting system to select the set of operating
parameter values.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the selecting system
comprises a main processor constituted by the processor or one of
the processors and wherein the main processor commands the setting
system to set the operating parameters in accordance with the
selected operating parameter values in place of the default
values.
20. A method of manufacturing a computer system having at least one
processor whose operating characteristics are dependent upon values
of variable operating parameters of the computer system, the
computer system being configurable for use in any one of a set of
predetermined thermal environments; the computer system comprising:
a parameter value storage memory storing a plurality of sets of
operating parameter values, each set of operating parameter values
corresponding to a respective one of the set of thermal
environments; a configuring system for storing configuring data
representative of a selection of thermal environment within which
the computer system is to be configured to be operable; a selecting
system operable to select from the parameter value storage memory a
selected set of operating parameter values according to the
configuring data; and a setting system for setting one or more of
the operating parameters of the computer system, wherein the
setting system is responsive to the selecting system to set the
operating parameters at the operating parameter values of the
selected set corresponding to the selection of thermal environment
represented by the configuring data; the method comprising storing
the sets of operating parameter values in the parameter value
storage memory; operating an external processor to generate the
configuring data; and inputting the configuring data to the
computer system for storing in the configuring system so as to
configure the computer system for use in the selected thermal
environment.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the configuring system
comprises a smart card interface, the method comprising storing the
configuring data in a smart card, and wherein inputting the
configuring data comprises operating the smart card interface to
read data from the smart card.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the external processor
encrypts the data stored in the smart card.
23. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein one of the operating
parameter values comprises an operating frequency of the at least
one processor.
24. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein one of the operating
parameter values comprises a voltage supplied to the at least one
processor.
25. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the sets of operating
parameter values are stored in a non-volatile memory of the
computer system prior to assembly of the non-volatile memory in the
computer system.
26. A storage medium comprising processor implementable
instructions for instructing one or more processors to carry out a
method of operating a computer system having at least one processor
whose operating characteristics are dependent upon values of
variable operating parameters of the computer system, the computer
system being configurable for use in any one of a set of
predetermined thermal environments; the method comprising: storing
in a parameter value storage memory a plurality of sets of
operating parameter values, each set of operating parameter values
corresponding to a respective one of the set of thermal
environments; a configuring system of the computer system storing
configuring data representative of a selection of thermal
environment within which the computer system is to be configured to
be operable; a selecting system of the computer system selecting
from the parameter value storage memory a selected set of operating
parameter values according to the configuring data; and a setting
system of the computer system setting one or more of the operating
parameters of the computer system, wherein the setting system is
responsive to the selecting system to set the operating parameters
at the operating parameter values of the selected set corresponding
to the selection of thermal environment represented by the
configuring data.
27. A signal comprising processor implementable instructions for
instructing one or more processors to carry out a method of
operating a computer system having at least one processor whose
operating characteristics are dependent upon values of variable
operating parameters of the computer system, the computer system
being configurable for use in any one of a set of predetermined
thermal environments; the method comprising: storing in a parameter
value storage memory a plurality of sets of operating parameter
values, each set of operating parameter values corresponding to a
respective one of the set of thermal environments; a configuring
system of the computer system storing configuring data
representative of a selection of thermal environment within which
the computer system is to be configured to be operable; a selecting
system of the computer system selecting from the parameter value
storage memory a selected set of operating parameter values
according to the configuring data; and a setting system of the
computer system setting one or more of the operating parameters of
the computer system, wherein the setting system is responsive to
the selecting system to set the operating parameters at the
operating parameter values of the selected set corresponding to the
selection of thermal environment represented by the configuring
data.
Description
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to configuring computer systems to
enable operating parameters of the computer system to be set in a
desired manner, and in particular, but not exclusively, to
configuring a server computer for compliance with a desired
specification relating to the thermal environment in which the
computer is to be operable.
[0002] Computer systems which are required to operate in critical
applications, such as telecommunications systems, typically are
required to be certified as being capable of operating in
environmental conditions defined by a certification standard. For
example, NEBS certification may be required to certify, among other
things, that a computer server is capable of operating at an
ambient temperature of up to 55.degree. C.
[0003] A manufacturer of the computer server may also wish to
supply computer servers for use in less demanding applications,
such as for commercial use where, for example, it is sufficient for
a computer server to be compliant with a requirement to be operable
at an ambient temperature of 35.degree. C. Under such
circumstances, the manufacturer may therefore manufacture the
computer server in two distinct hardware versions, a first version
for commercial use being NEBS compliant with a specific exception
for reduced temperature tolerance and a second version for
telecommunications use and which is fully NEBS certified, being
provided with additional cooling fans, heat sinks and other
adaptations to allow more extreme temperatures to be tolerated.
[0004] This requirement to assemble two different hardware versions
increases cost in terms of manufacture and supply logistics.
[0005] One way to adapt to operating at elevated temperatures is to
reduce the power dissipation of the computer by for example
reducing the operating frequency of its processor.
[0006] It is known in the field of laptop computers to provide
dynamic management systems such as the Speed Step (Trade Mark)
system in order to conserve battery life. Similarly, desktop
computers are known to use dynamic management systems such as the
Energy Star (Trade Mark) system to provide energy saving. In each
case, operation of the processor may be interrupted or slowed to
reduce power consumption during periods of inactivity. Such dynamic
solutions are however inappropriate for controlling power
dissipation in many circumstances, in particular when a computer
system comprises a server computer where continuous and predictable
performance is regarded as highly desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved
method of manufacture, an improved computer system, and an improved
method of operating a computer system. One embodiment allows
operating parameters for computer processing to be set in more than
one way, by providing a selecting system for selecting one
particular set of parameter values from a number of such sets of
parameter values stored in the system.
[0008] The parameter values may, for example, control the operating
frequency of one or more processors of the computer system and may
also control other parameters such as the core voltage of the
processors, thereby enabling the power dissipation of the computer
system to be determined at an appropriate level.
[0009] Since reduced power dissipation enables the computer to
operate in thermal environments of increased temperature without
otherwise making hardware modifications, the selection of parameter
values allows the system to be configured to be operable in a
number of different thermal environments.
[0010] In the described embodiments, the system is configured by
the input of configuring data representing a selection, typically
by the manufacturer of the system, of a thermal environment within
which the system is required to be operable. The choice of thermal
environment may be dictated by a certification standard or user
specification.
[0011] In use of the system, the selecting system refers to the
configuring data, for example at each boot of the system, before
selecting the set of operating parameters from the parameter value
storage memory to be used thereafter in operation of the
system.
[0012] Since the configuring process requires the input of data
rather than hardware modification, the task of the computer system
manufacturer is thereby simplified. Moreover, it is not necessary
during configuration to input a set of parameter values since these
are already stored in the system, the configuring data being
required simply to determine which set of parameter values is to be
selected whenever the computer system is in use.
[0013] An embodiment provides a smart card interface of the system
which receives a smart card carrying the configuring data.
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer system in which
parameter values are selected during a configuring process;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a computer server in which
the configuring data is contained in a smart card;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a storage process;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for a configuring process; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for a selecting and setting
process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a computer system 10
according to one embodiment. The computer system 10 comprises a
processor 12 which operates within an operating environment 13
which controls operating parameters of the processor such as
operating frequency and core voltage. The operating environment 13
maintains the operating parameters at parameter values determined
by a setting system 14.
[0021] The parameter values are responsible for determining the
processing power of the processor 12 and also its level of power
dissipation. The computer system 10 operates within a thermal
environment 11 defined by a maximum operating temperature. For
example, where the computer system is a computer server required to
be NEBS certified, the thermal environment 11 is such that the
maximum ambient temperature is 55.degree. C. If the computer server
is intended for commercial use, it may be required to be operable
in a less stringent thermal environment 11 in which the maximum
ambient temperature is 35.degree. C. The computer system 10 is
capable of being configured for operation in any number of such
thermal environments 11 by use of appropriate parameter values
applied to the operating environment 13.
[0022] The setting system 14 applies the parameter values at each
start-up of the computer system 10 and the operating environment 13
thereafter maintains the parameter values fixed at the desired
setting.
[0023] The set of parameter values applied by the setting system 14
is selected by a selecting system 16 from a plurality of sets of
parameter values stored in a parameter value storage memory 18. In
FIG. 1, the parameter values storage memory 18 stores N sets of
parameter values labelled S.sub.1 to S.sub.N, each set
corresponding to a different thermal environment 11 for which the
computer system 10 is configurable.
[0024] The selection made by the selecting system 16 is determined
by configuring data 20 stored in a configuring system 22 whereby
the selecting system 16 always selects the set of parameter values
identified in accordance with the configuring data 20. The
configuring data 20 may therefore comprise the address in memory of
the set of parameter values to be selected or may for example
simply be represented as a numerical value between 1 and N
identifying the set of parameter values to be retrieved by the
selecting system 16.
[0025] In a simple example in which N=2, the configuring data 20
may thereby be constituted by a single binary digit.
[0026] During a configuring process, the configuring data 20 is
input by the manufacturer of the computer system 10 to the
configuring system 22, represented in FIG. 1 by input 24.
[0027] The computer system 10 is provided with a cooling system 26
which does not need to be modified when the manufacturer of the
computer system is producing computer systems destined for
different thermal environments 11 since the configuring process
requires only the input of configuring data 20.
[0028] The following example considers the case where N=2 so that
the system is configurable for operation in any one of two
different thermal environments 11 and the parameter value storage
memory 18 stores two respective sets of parameter values.
[0029] When the intended use of the system 10 is in a commercial
context which does not require the system to be certified to a high
standard, the manufacturer of the computer system inputs whatever
configuring data 20 is required to enable the selecting system 16
to select a first set of parameter values determining the
appropriate operating frequency and voltage of the processor 12.
The cooling system 26 is predetermined to match the resulting heat
dissipation with a rate of heat extraction which allows the
computer system 10 to operate within a first thermal environment in
which temperatures up to 35.degree. C. can be tolerated, this being
sufficient for example for compliance with commercial user
requirements. The first set of parameter values may for example
determine the frequency and voltage levels to be nominal maximum
values for the system.
[0030] When, however, the manufacturer is required to supply the
computer system 10 with certification to a high standard, such as
NEBS certification including a 55.degree. C. ambient temperature
working requirement, the manufacturer inputs whatever configuring
data 20 is required to enable the selecting system 16 to select a
second set of parameter values appropriate to this second thermal
environment. The second set of parameter values determines the
operating frequency and voltage of the processor 12 such that at
least one of frequency and voltage level is less than that
determined by the first set. Since maximum operating frequency
increases with core voltage, it will generally be appropriate to
reduce the core voltage when reducing operating frequency.
Resulting operation of the computer system 10 therefore generates a
lower level of heat dissipation which, when cooled by the existing
cooling system 26, achieves the required performance for
certification and allows operation in the second thermal
environment where the ambient temperature can reach 55.degree.
C.
[0031] By providing two sets of parameter values, it is therefore
possible to provide the two required variants of the computer
system 10 without hardware modification, requiring only the input
of appropriate configuring data 20 during the configuring process
to select the desired set of parameter values. The configuring
process will in general only be performed once, i.e. at the point
of completion of manufacture of the computer system 10 and before
supply of the system to a customer. Computer systems 10 configured
for one use may readily be re-configured however by entering new
configuring data 20, for example, before supply or during
refurbishment.
[0032] Appropriate labelling will in general need to be applied to
the computer system 10 to indicate the state into which it has been
configured and hence its degree of compliance or certification.
[0033] In one example, values of voltage and frequency to be used
as parameter values are:
[0034] set 1:--voltage 1.6 volts, frequency 900 MHz
[0035] set 2:--voltage 1.4 volts, frequency 750 MHz.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a further embodiment which will be
described using corresponding reference numerals to those of FIG. 1
where appropriate for corresponding elements.
[0037] In FIG. 2, the computer system 10 is operated as a server
such as a "Netra 20" (Trade Mark) server using multiple processors
12.sub.0-12.sub.n which perform multitasking using the Solaris
(Trade Mark) computing environment created by Sun Microsystems,
Inc. Each of the processors 12.sub.0-12.sub.n is provided with a
respective random access memory 30.sub.0-30.sub.n. The processors
12.sub.0-12.sub.n are connected to a common system bus 32 which
connects with an expansion bus 34 via input/output bridge 36.
[0038] A clock generator 38 and boot PROM 40 are connected to the
expansion bus 34 together with an input/output card 42 providing
connection with a hard disk 44. An input/output card 46 is also
connected to the expansion bus 34 for providing connection to a
network interface 48.
[0039] A controller 50 connected to the expansion bus 34 provides
lights-out management and other functions including facilitating
remote turning on and off of the server computer 10, the sending of
alerts and the processing of temperature monitoring signals. The
controller 50 is provided with external connectivity with a
management network 52.
[0040] A smart card interface 54 having a decryption module 56 is
connected to the controller 50 and is arranged to receive a
removable smart card 58 which carries data including the
configuring data 20, thereby providing input 24 of configuring
data. Other data carried by the smart card 58 includes an
identifier for uniquely identifying the computer system 10.
[0041] The computer system 10 in FIG. 2 is provided with a cooling
system 26 in the form of heat sinks and cooling fans.
[0042] Each of the set of processors 12.sub.0-12.sub.n is provided
with a respective EEPROM 18.sub.0-18.sub.n located on a motherboard
of the processor to which it is accessible. The EEPROM 18.sub.0 for
the first of the processors 12.sub.0 (CPU 0) contains two sets of
parameter values corresponding to first and second configuration
options for the computer system 10 so that the EEPROM 18.sub.0
corresponds functionally to the parameter value storage memory 18
of the computer system of FIG. 1. Each of the processors
12.sub.0-12.sub.n is also provided with a respective DC to DC
converter 60.sub.0-60.sub.n for supplying a configured level of
core voltage to the respective processors by conversion from an
input DC level.
[0043] The operating frequency of the processors 12.sub.0-12.sub.n
is determined by the clock generator 38 which has a programmable
oscillator. During booting of the computer system 10, the clock
generator 38 initially operates using a default low value of
frequency and then responds to a setting operation to thereafter
control the processors 12.sub.0 to 12.sub.n at a desired operating
frequency.
[0044] FIG. 2 also shows schematically an external processor 62
used to prepare encrypted data, including the configuring data 20,
to be loaded onto the smart card 58 by a smart card writer 64.
[0045] Operation of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is summarised in the
schematic flow charts of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. In FIG. 3, the process
of storage of the operating parameters is described. At 70, the
processor 12.sub.0(CPU 0) receives an input of a number of sets of
operating parameters and at 72 stores the sets of operating
parameters in parameter value storage memory 18.sub.0. The process
of storing the sets of operating parameters may alternatively be
performed during manufacture of the computer system 10. Where the
sets of operating parameters are to be stored in a non-volatile
memory such as EEPROM 18.sub.0 or an equivalent device, the sets of
operating parameters may be stored by a programming procedure
performed prior to assembly of the non-volatile memory with a
circuit board on which it is to be mounted in the computer system
10.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates the configuring process. At 74, the
external processor 62 encrypts data for loading onto the smart card
58, the data including the configuring data 20, and at 76 the smart
card writer 64 writes the encrypted data including configuring data
onto the smart card.
[0047] At 78, the smart card 58 is presented to and received by the
smart card interface 54 which serves as a smart card reader. At 79,
the decryption module 56 decrypts the data read from the smart card
58, thereby enabling the smart card interface 54 to provide the
controller 50 with the configuring data 20 when required.
[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates the selecting and setting processes. At
80, the processor 12.sub.0 begins initialising the server computer
10, processor CPU 0 being designated as a main processor of the
multiprocessor computer system 10 for this purpose. At 82,
processor 12.sub.0 requests the configuring data 20 from the
controller 50 and at 84 the controller retrieves the configuring
data from the smart card interface 54.
[0049] At 86, the controller 50 sends the configuring data 20 to
the processor 12.sub.0 which at 88 uses the configuring data to
select a set of parameter values from the available sets of
parameter values stored in the parameter value storage memory
18.sub.0.
[0050] At 90, the main processor 12.sub.0 (CPU 0) outputs setting
commands to each device which is to receive a parameter value from
the selected set of parameter values, in this example the devices
comprising the clock generator 38 and each of the DC to DC
converters 60.sub.0 to 60.sub.n. These devices together define the
operating environment 13 of the processors 12.sub.0 to
12.sub.n.
[0051] At 92, the setting commands are implemented by each of the
devices 38 and 60.sub.0 to 60.sub.n.
[0052] In this example, implementing the setting commands results
in the clock generator 38 operating thereafter at a frequency
defined by the frequency parameter value selected in accordance
with the configuring data and the DC to DC converters driving the
processors 12.sub.0 to 12.sub.n (CPU 0 to CPU n) at the DC voltage
selected in accordance with the configuring data.
[0053] By the above processes, the server computer 10 is
initialized at each start-up to operate with selected parameter
values in order to achieve a desired build standard and for meeting
a desired level of certification or tolerance to environmental
conditions.
[0054] The server computer 10 may be reconfigured at any time by
removing the smart card and rewriting the configuring data 20 using
the external processor 62 to prepare data and the smart card writer
64 to rewrite the data on the smart card. The operating system of
the server computer 10 is arranged to prevent user access to the
stored operating parameter values and the configuring data. In
general therefore, the user cannot set the operational performance
characteristics of the computer system. The manufacturer of the
server computer therefore will in general be relied upon to
reconfigure the operational performance characteristics should the
need arise.
[0055] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2, the initialisation of the
computer system 10 is performed by the CPU 0 processor 12.sub.0.
Alternative embodiments are envisaged in which another processor of
the computer system performs the initialisation and therefore
performs the tasks referred to above as being carried out by the
processor CPU 0. For example, the computer system 10 may be
provided with a service processor for performing a number of tasks
including system initialisation and fault diagnosis. The service
processor in such an embodiment would perform the above described
processes during initialisation.
[0056] Further embodiments are envisaged in which the configuring
system 22 stores the configuring data 20 other than in a smart
card. For example, the configuring data may be stored in
non-volatile memory in a service processor or in non-volatile
read-only memory on a backplane of the computer system.
Alternatively, one or more fusible links may be used to form a
circuit representative of the configuring data, the links for
example being included in the lights-out management board, service
processor or system backplane of the system.
[0057] Where a service processor is utilised in an embodiment, the
configuring data may alternatively be stored using a configurable
value input to the service processor.
[0058] In a further alternative embodiment, the booting and
initialisation phase of the computer system is allowed to complete
and at some predetermined time interval thereafter the configuring
data is accessed and used to select and then set the parameter
values. It is envisaged however that the setting process will occur
only once during each session of use of the computer system.
[0059] The embodiment of FIG. 2 is described in the context of a
computer server. Further embodiments are envisaged in which
computer systems other than servers utilise the above described
processes and apparatus for setting operating parameters, such
systems including for example personal computers, mainframe
computers, and hardware for use in telecommunications or dedicated
business applications.
[0060] The computer system 10 has been described with reference to
FIG. 2 as including EEPROM 18.sub.0 for storing sets of parameter
values. Other forms of non-volatile memory devices may be used, a
non-exclusive list of such devices including serial EEPROMs,
MVRAMs, flash memory devices and FRAM (ferro magnetic random access
memory ) devices.
[0061] In each of the above described processes, the process may be
implemented by a respective computer program providing instructions
for controlling a processor of the apparatus to carry out the
described method. The computer program may in each case be
installed from a storage medium used as a carrier for the
instructions or from a signal received via a communications system
such as a network. Aspects of the invention are therefore
considered to be embodied in such a storage medium and signal.
[0062] In those embodiments in which the computer program is stored
in a read-only memory device or circuit, such a device or circuit
is therefore considered to constitute a storage medium used as a
carrier for the instructions.
[0063] The described embodiments refer to setting parameter values
such as operating frequency and DC voltage. Further operating
parameters may be configured as required for specific systems. For
example, it may be appropriate in a multi processor system to turn
on or off one or more processors in dependence upon the configuring
data, to activate or deactivate a powered cooling system, or to
activate or deactivate a thermal cutout circuit, so that one or
more of the operating parameter values in each case define the
number of units to be operated and thus the power expected to be
dissipated by the overall computer system. The number of parameter
values in each set has been described as being two in the above
examples. Alternative embodiments may include any number of
parameter values in each set.
[0064] Although methods and systems consistent with the present
invention have been described with reference to one or more
embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will know of various
changes in form and detail which may be made without departing from
the present invention as defined in the appended claims and their
full scope of equivalents.
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